Aviation expert talks principles of flight with Polk Middle students

Russell Hyde, owner of Plane Werks in Rutherford County, recently visited the eighth grade STEM class at Polk County Middle School to discuss the principles of flight and how aviation is impacted by the STEM areas.

Hyde shared with the class how Bernoulli’s Principle is at the heart of airfoil design and creates the lift needed for planes to fly. He also discussed his experiences as a pilot and mechanic to showcase aviation careers that might interest students. This included a discussion of local airfields and the regulations associated with flying near them.

Russell Hyde talks aviation with PCMS eighth grader Cole Pereira

As part of the class, each student will design and build a “flying machine” of his or her choice to meet certain specifications. Hyde will return the day of the flight competition to offer advice and help judge the competition.